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By Vernon Matters Staff

Kelowna man facing serious charges after January bridge closure

Mar 26, 2025 | 1:11 PM

A Kelowna man is facing a series of serious charges following the dramatic incident on the William R. Bennett Bridge earlier this year.

Roy Winter, 61, has been charged with arson, explosives-related offences, and more, after the Jan. 27 event shut down the bridge for many hours. Winter is alleged to have parked a van across the two lanes on the bridge and had posted online comments about the vehicle’s contents.

Winter was arrested March 25 after being discharged from hospital and appeared in court the same evening.

His charges include assaulting a peace officer, mischief endangering life, and possessing dangerous materials. He remains in custody and is set to appear again on April 3.

Winter faces a laundry list of charges following the serious and dangerous incident that shut down the bridge for many hours and required the assistance of the special explosives unit from the lower mainland.

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Charges include:

  • Arson
  • Making or possessing explosives
  • Use of explosives to cause serious bodily harm
  • Possession of incendiary material
  • Mischief endangering life
  • Mischief
  • Nuisance endangering life
  • Assault peace officer with a weapon
  • Resist/obstruct peace officer
  • Uttering threats
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
by Vernon Matters Staff
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